I play in a quartet with my mother-in-law. She banters her upcoming highlights while we set up. Her whole family is going to Panama to celebrate her (other) sons engagement. She starts listing. Please pause: my Lawrence?

Yes. Your Lawrence.

In four weeks. “Oh, I thought I told you.” You didn’t. Told me? It’s our busiest month of the year at work. I wonder what he planned for our children? Me. “Your mom said she’d be out of town so…” Oh. You talked to my mom about it? Passport ordered late. Expedited. Tickets are in the cart. It will be a big purchase. Six months ago we had no money for me to attend my brothers wedding. More fees to adjust the flights night before. Wait… I was never invited. That would have been nice.

I put it out of my mind to survive. None of this is okay.